The secret to youthful eyes: Aegyo sal

What is it?

If you’re familiar with Korean beauty trends, you may have heard of the term “Aegyo sal” popping up in recent years. The term “Aegyo sal” roughly translates to “cute skin bags” in English and refers to the small puffs of under-eye fat that is said to accentuate the eyes and add to a more youthful appearance.

Origin

Natural Aegyo sal aren’t the eyebags you get from a lack of sleep, but rather the under-eye fullness that is often seen in the lower eyelids of newborns and younger age groups; hence, it’s associated with youthfulness and innocence. They also tend to puff up, even in adults, when they smile, associating aegyosal with cheer and friendliness.

Today

The trend of aegyosal made a comeback largely due to the Korean entertainment industry, where celebrities, such as the soloist IU, Jungkook from BTS, and Joy from Red Velvet, with aegyosal were considered to have fresh and sweet charm. The desire in Korean beauty for a youthful and innocent appearance, as well as the larger beauty trend of “plump” skin called “gwang”, also fuelled the popularity of aegyosal.

Cosmetics

This has led to the rise of aegyosal surgery and fillers in younger generations, cosmetic procedures that uses fat grafts, implants, or hyaluronic acid fillers to create that sausage roll shape like the aegyosal. It has carried over to several other Asian countries such as Singapore and China in more recent years, and has began to incorporate itself into their cultural beauty standards.

A Less Invasive Solution

While surgery and filler remain popular in Korea, a much more risk-free, convenient, and cost-friendly way to accentuate the aegyosal has arisen. By using makeup, concealer, highlighter, and strategically placed eyeshadow – even the invention of specific “aegyosal pens” in recent years – individuals can enhance their under-eye area, giving the impression of bigger, puppy-dog eyes without going under the knife.